IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa running back De'Andre Jacquese Johnson was cited late Thursday on suspicion of disorderly house after Iowa City police were called about a loud party at his home.

The officers who responded to 1311 West Benton St. at 11:27 p.m. Thursday found about 50 people in the front yard, side yard and on nearby sidewalks, according to a criminal complaint. When they spotted an officer, the crowd dispersed and ran inside or to the back yard and through surrounding yards, police reported.

Voices of people at the party could be heard from the street and neighboring properties, and an officer found empty plastic cups and alcoholic beverage containers scattered in the front yard, according to the complaint.

The officer tried to make contact with the gathering's host at the door to a breezeway between the garage and residence. But, according to the complaint, someone inside said the police were here, and no one would answer the door.

Eventually, however, the officer found Johnson, 20, who lives in the house. Johnson was in the back yard, which was accessed through an open gate, and the officer cited him on suspicion of keeping a disorderly house, according to the complaint.

Johnson, a UI sophomore from Florida who red-shirted in 2010, saw action last fall in four games. The running back had 18 rushing attempts for 79 yards.

Steve Roe, director of UI athletic communications, said any possible sanction against Johnson at the team level will be handled internally.

"Our course of action typically is waiting until the coach knows all the details," Roe said. "And the coach isn't in town right now."

He said all the athletes are measured by the student-athlete code of conduct, and the team follows those guidelines on all athlete-related legal matters.